Are you a teacher? If so, are you involved in professional learning communities (PLCs)? What are some of the characteristics of PLC’s you attend? What is the feel? Do you go in with a feeling of resentment? Or, do you go with an open mind ready to learn from your peers – those that teach…
Wildlife Wednesday Without Words
Summer Suggestions – Slice of Life Tuesdays.
Summer is close. We are more than a week into our last term of school here. In less than two months, school will be out for the summer. It always happens fast. Now, the two of my boys who are still at home have jobs and summer soccer traveling leagues that keep them busy. Those…
Helping Bees, Helps Us
Our garden club theme this year is on Pollinators, of which we have covered Bats, Hummingbirds, and Bees. They are all fascinating, but as I prepared for the bee unit, I learned many things I didn’t know. There are solitary bees and social bees. The social bees are the ones everyone seems to talk about….
The Joy of Citizen Science
The return of monarchs and hummingbirds is imminent. Soon, both of these lovely species will grace my yard with their presence. For the last twelve years, patience, expectation, and anticipation have filled the days of spring waiting upon their arrival. For the last several years, I have enjoyed participating in and teaching others, especially my…
Orchids, Amaryllis, and Lemons. Oh, my!
If you’ve read some of my previous posts, you know I am a gardener. I love plants, and love to teach children about different horticultural topics. This week, in addition to having garden club and planting 15 Amaryllis bulbs with my garden club students, I’ve had several personal gardening successes. My orchid is re-blooming. This…
But, I didn’t have enough time!
If there is one thing I could impart to students to not say, this is it! Earlier this week, I held my Tuesday Writer’s Circle meeting with six third graders that I have been meeting with weekly since January. This is the sixth year I have voluntarily led such a group. It’s always been once…
Transitional Angst
After a very nice and relaxing weekend, I woke up mad at the world this morning! Difficulty sleeping led to this state of mind and emotion. It is a time of transition, which always causes me difficulty. Not only do I question myself, but everyone around me. Intensity is not a side of my personality…
Pauses to live by.
Pause long enough to plant a seed and watch it grow. Pause to smell the bright flower that attracted your attention. Pause be kind to everyone who crosses your path. Pause to smile even when you are hurried and harried in your life. Pause to appreciate what you have and stop longing for what you…
Tennis, Anyone???
Today was the start of our high school tennis season. My junior is still at the courts, almost 9 hours after he first arrived this morning at 8:45 a.m.. The last matches are still being played out. Four teams played today with our district hosting this invitational to start off the season. We couldn’t have…